As an 80 channel UHF its a bit expensive, as an altimeter it's bloody expensive, as a GPS it seems that it comes with a World Map (whatever that means) so its $100 + extra for an Australian map with a very small screen.

As the title states, I lashed out today and did the "buy 1, get 1 free" deal at Johnny Appleseed.

If nothing else i can use the things when camping with my daughters over Xmas, to keep in contact if required and to test-out the locating function on the units.

The UHF transmission appears to be ok and the speaker is clear enough at this point in time.

The touchscreen works alright at the moment and i will see how it goes when it's dusty / wet / muddy etc

Apart from attaching the clip on te back there doesn,t appear to be anywhere to properly tether the thing to stop it dissapearing on really crappy tracks where you are looking ahead, concentrating only on rocks, ruts and roots, then look down and "Oh F-ck. Where's my bloody Rino?"

I use a Garmin 60CSX with tracks Australia and will try and load the same onto these units

I use a Uniden UH078 5W waterproof UHF and good aftermarket antenna as my main communication tool

I bought a Zumo 660 3 weeks ago and that will be my "cruizin" gps so the Rino units will be for back-up and bushwalking fun

There are no Ram cradles in stock at this point in timei will wait for a couple

i reckon that the optional "alkaline battery" adaptor may be a good investment as opposed to just relying on the AC charger or 12VDC cigarette plug charger (rrp $49.00) but will get one for $35.00

The 12VDC charge connects via a roughly 6mm diametre 2 pin rubber plug at the rear of the unit (sort of a smaller version of the plug on the 60CSX) and it will have to be seen if the plug will stay in place on snotty trails

Johnny Appleseed GPS has a 2 for one deal on the new Garmin Rino 650 GPS/UHF. I bought a set the other day as a Christmas pressie to myself. Has the features of my GPSMap 60csx in an easy to use touch screen package and a 5W UHF radio. Just saved myself carrying a radio as well as a GPS in future and with the two for one deal, they are only about $300 each - same price as a GPSMap 60csx purchased from the USA. You can load Shonky Maps and Tracks for Australia onto the Rhino which is what I will use.

I've still got "cradle-anxiety". I looked it up on the Garmin website, crappy photos and only other models get mentioned, so I'm still unsure of the cradle options for one of these gizmos. If I can't obtain a robust cradle for the handlebars it's not much use to me, sadly.

Has anyone got a cradle yet? is it any good for bike mounting, or just useful for the car? Cheers.

I've still got "cradle-anxiety". I looked it up on the Garmin website, crappy photos and only other models get mentioned, so I'm still unsure of the cradle options for one of these gizmos. If I can't obtain a robust cradle for the handlebars it's not much use to me, sadly.

Has anyone got a cradle yet? is it any good for bike mounting, or just useful for the car? Cheers.

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I bought the RAM cradle.. works well and I think you would have to end to end your bike for it to come off... and if you did.. then the missing GPS would be the least of your problems.

I have the RAM cradle, with the handle bar mount and 'clamp' arm. Works well.

One limitation with this unit over a GPSmap CSX I have found is that you can have 2 map sets loaded, the basemap, and one other (which is the same as with other units) but what is different, is that you can't deselect/select individual tiles (overlapping tiles) in the Rino, which you can do in the GPS Map series of units.

I have loaded Shonky maps with the base Global map, and that is fine for my purposes. Alternately I could load Garmin City as a base map, and Shonky or Garmin Topo as the alternate map set and select both or either of these maps at any one time.

Also, noticed with charging, you CAN'T run these connected to 12v as you can the GPS Map CSX, AND use the thing at the same time - when you have it plugged in to charge, it won't turn on - it only charges!

So you would have to remember to charge it overnight whilst camping (charging it wouldn't flatten your battery). You can do this either via the USB cable/Mini USB, via the AC charger which connects to the 2 pin plug, or the 12v adapter which connects to the 2 pin plug.

Also, noticed with charging, you CAN'T run these connected to 12v as you can the GPS Map CSX, AND use the thing at the same time - when you have it plugged in to charge, it won't turn on - it only charges!

So you would have to remember to charge it overnight whilst camping (charging it wouldn't flatten your battery). You can do this either via the USB cable/Mini USB, via the AC charger which connects to the 2 pin plug, or the 12v adapter which connects to the 2 pin plug.

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+1
Used the Rino in the 4x4 for the last couple of days as a radio only.

Couldn't work out what was going-on as the thing was constantly OFF when i checked it. :huh Disconnect the 12V charger and all was fine and dandy!

Got mine from a guy named Dwayne. He has a little company called dirtbike comms. PM me if you want his number. I bought mine over the phone as he's in Melbourne and I'm in Brisbane. Had the the unit on my doorstep 2 days after paying for it. He does headsets as well. I think thats what he specializes in. Can't give you an opinion on the headset as hes sending me an adaptor for the Garmin Rhino to get it to work but the unit itself is pretty sweet.

I have dealth with dirtbikecomms and bought a Garmin Rino 650. I spoke to Dwayne and asked for a good deal. I bought the Rino with two maps (Road Guidance and Oztopo) for $390. Also I purchased a headset and mount for the Rino.Dwayne also mentioned he is developing an adaptor to run an ipod, mobile phone and Rino together.